Future Hall of Famers Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki added to NBA All-Star player pool
MIAMI (AP) — Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Miami's Dwyane Wade are both NBA champions, NBA Finals MVPs and longtime ambassadors for the game of basketball.
And now, one more time, they're All-Stars.
By special order of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Wade and Nowitzki were added Friday to the pool of players for the All-Star Game that will be played in Charlotte on Feb. 17. Each team will now have 13 players instead of the customary 12, and LeBron James — one of the captains — will be the one who decides which side Wade and Nowitzki will be joining.
"Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade embody the best of the NBA: remarkable skill, drive and professionalism as well as a deep devotion to strengthening their communities and growing the game around the world," Silver said. "As a global celebration of basketball, our All-Star Game is an ideal setting to salute these first-class NBA champions and Finals MVPs."
Also Friday, Silver announced that Brooklyn's D'Angelo Russell will make his All-Star debut. Russell will replace injured Indiana star Victor Oladipo.
Wade, who is retiring after 16 seasons, will be an All-Star for the 13th time. Nowitzki is heading to the All-Star Game for the 14th time, and has yet to officially say if his 21st season with the Mavericks will be the final one of his career.
Nowitzki was already going to have a big role in All-Star weekend, after agreeing to be an honorary coach in the Rising Stars game on Friday night and the skills competition as part of All-Star Saturday Night. Wade was headed to the All-Star Game for various events and was exploring some broadcast opportunities, though now he'll be in shorts and sneakers instead of a suit for the Sunday night highlight of the weekend.
Wade is a three-time NBA champion. Nowitzki led Dallas to the 2011 NBA title.
James and fellow captain Giannis Antetokounmpo will choose their teams on Feb. 7. James will have the first pick in the first round, when the starters will be chosen. Antetokounmpo gets the No. 1 pick in the second round, when he and James will split up the 14 reserves. And James has the top pick in the third round, which will be the one that includes Wade and Nowitzki.
